Historic Second World War plane lands in Saskatoon
The Royal Canadian Air Force is celebrating its 100th anniversary with air shows across the continent. Saskatoon residents were treated to a visit from one of the rarest planes remaining from the Second World War, including a former pilot.
Nearing the end of the war, more than 7,300 Avro Lancaster bombers were rumbling across the skies. Eighty years later, only 17 Lancasters exist, and only two can fly.
One of those historic bombers made a visit to Saskatoon on Thursday where hundreds of people spanning generations came to the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum for a closer look.
“It always surprises me every time we come to these events,” said Dave Rohrer, captain of the Avro Lancaster and president and CEO of the Canadian War Plane Museum.
“How many people are here, and what this Lancaster represents, and how important it is to many Canadians across the entire country.”
(Chad Hills/CTV News)
The historic bomber is on its way across the continent from its home in Hamilton to various air shows as part of the 100th anniversary of the RCAF. It wasn’t a full air show, but a special request convinced the crew to make a stop in Saskatoon.
“Today is a special day because this airplane flew in World War Two,” said Brian Eikel, executive director of the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum. “And there’s a fellow here, Reg Harrison, nicknamed ‘Crash’ Harrison. He did 19 missions to Germany, and he survived four crashes.”
Harrison was given the best seat in the house from a Saskatoon Airport vehicle on the tarmac as the Lancaster arrived and landed. Once the plane stopped at the museum, Harrison shared a few stories with the crew, later explaining the feeling of being up close to one of his old planes.
“It’s difficult to put into words,” said Harrison. “I’ve had a lot of surprises in my life, but I would have to say this tops them all because I never, ever expected anything like this to happen. I’m very grateful for all the people that have arranged this and I want them to know how very much I appreciate it.”
The former pilot considers himself lucky as the survival rate for airmen was below 50 per cent during the war, whether it was near-collisions flying in tight formations, being shot down by friendly or enemy fire, or mechanical failures.
“The loss rate was almost 49.9 per cent, but they never told us at the time,” said Harrison. “Because if they had, we’d be a lot more afraid to go.”
(Chad Hills/CTV News)
Despite the terrifying ordeal that was flying a mission during the war, Harrison found himself missing the roar of the engines and the intense action.
“And everything was so quiet I couldn't hear the roar of engines starting up and taking off,” he said. “I wish I stayed over with the special squadron, what a contrast.”
But with a nickname like ‘Crash,' Harrison says he hasn’t been keen on flying planes since.
“I started my tour with a crash, and I finished with a crash.” Harrison told CTV News. “I thought, if I start flying again, there won’t be any night fighters shooting at me, there won’t be any search lights looking for me. But with my luck, I start to fly again, a wing might fall off the plane. So maybe I should quit.”
The Lancaster refuelled and is headed to Cold Lake for an air show this weekend.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.7022456.1725276398!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
General strike in Israel over hostages found dead in Gaza reflects political divisions
A rare call for a general strike in Israel to protest the failure to return hostages held in Gaza led to closures and other disruptions around the country on Monday, including at its main international airport. But it was ignored in some areas, reflecting deep political divisions.
Edmunds: The four biggest mistakes people make when buying a new car
Car buyers have more tools than ever to get the right vehicle at the right price. Still, mistakes can happen quite easily.
Public payphones a rare sight: Why one expert says it's important they all don't disappear
These days, it’s gotten increasingly rare to spot a payphone in any community across the country, but one expert says it's important to keep them from disappearing altogether.
Canada's transport minister to meet with Via Rail after passengers stranded 10 hours
Canada's transport minister says he is determined to get to the bottom of a recent train delay that left Via Rail passengers stranded for about 10 hours in Quebec over the long weekend.
Cow cuddling: Why a Newfoundland farm is offering quality time with these 'gentle creatures'
Jim Lester’s farm hopped on the cow-cuddling trend in early August, and his time slots have been pretty well sold out ever since.
I'm 36 — when do I have to give up crop tops?
Having recently turned 36, CNN Style producer Jacqui Palumbo asks readers if she is too old to still be wearing a crop top.
Ed O'Neill found out 'Married… with Children' was cancelled in a very awkward way
Married... with Children may have been a show about love and marriage, but Ed O'Neill got no love from the network when it came to finding out how the show was taken off the air.
opinion In sprint to White House, duelling strategies of addition and subtraction are at play
It's now officially a sprint to the White House as opposing campaigns vie for electoral supremacy, and CTV News political analyst Eric Ham breaks down the duelling strategies of addition and subtraction being used by Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.
NASA record holder can relate to astronauts stuck in space. He was, too
NASA's record-holding astronaut is urging his two stuck-in-space colleagues to stay positive and 'keep up the good work.'